Category Manager - Fragrances

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 220,000 - 294,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement and supply organization is seeking an experienced category manager to enhance growth for premium products in the UAE. The role involves building strategic partnerships, managing promotional calendars, and ensuring optimal inventory levels. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Business or Marketing, proven category management experience, and strong negotiation skills. This is an opportunity to create compelling customer experiences in luxury retail.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management, merchandising, or buying within retail or beauty/fragrance industry.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data interpretation and forecasting.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive category sales growth and profitability across retail stores and e-commerce.
• Negotiate commercial terms and manage promotional calendars and in-store execution.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams to manage inventory control and replenishment.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Project management

Communication skills

Creativity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field

MBA

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

E-commerce platforms

Job description

Job Description

Objective: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with global fragrance houses, distributors, and local partners while negotiating commercial terms, marketing support, and exclusivity. Oversee promotional calendars, inventory planning, and in-store execution to deliver compelling fragrance storytelling and exceptional customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Growth & Performance
   • Drive category sales growth and profitability across retail stores and e-commerce platforms.
   • Define pricing architecture aligned with market benchmarks and brand positioning.
   • Monitor category performance, analyze trends, and implement strategies to maximize contribution.
2. Assortment & Brand Management
   • Lead brand selection and product assortment planning to ensure a competitive and compelling offering.
   • Build and maintain strong relationships with global fragrance houses, distributors, and local partners.
   • Negotiate commercial terms, including rebates, exclusivity, marketing support, and payment conditions.
3. Marketing & In-Store Execution
   • Plan and execute promotional calendars, including in-store activations, sampling programs, and digital campaigns.
   • Support visual merchandising guidelines and deliver engaging fragrance storytelling in-store.
   • Train retail teams on new launches, hero products, and fragrance profiling to enhance customer experience.
4. Supply Chain & Inventory Control
   • Collaborate with supply chain teams to manage lead times, replenishment cycles, and store allocations.
   • Plan forecasting and inventory control to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize shortages.
   • Coordinate with logistics and operations to maintain smooth product flow across channels.

Desired Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field; MBA is a plus
• Proven experience in category management, merchandising, or buying within retail or beauty/fragrance industry
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data interpretation and forecasting
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building capabilities with global and local partners
• Solid understanding of pricing strategies, promotional planning, and market benchmarking
• Knowledge of supply chain processes, inventory control, and replenishment cycles
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in MS Office and familiarity with ERP systems; experience with e-commerce platforms is an advantage
• Strong communication and presentation skills to train and influence cross-functional teams
• Creative mindset with attention to detail and passion for fragrance and luxury retail